A Troubled History and a New Contract
The Bibby Stockholm, a migrant barge used to house asylum seekers in Portland Port, Dorset, has been plagued with problems since its inception in 2023. From outbreaks of legionnaires' disease to the tragic suicide of an asylum seeker, the barge has been a source of controversy and concern.
Despite these issues, the travel firm behind the Bibby Stockholm, Corporate Travel Management (CTM), has been awarded a new £150 million government contract to organize government travel services from 2025 to 2028. This comes just months after the Labour government shut down the Bibby Stockholm due to the litany of problems it faced.
CTM, an Australian travel firm, was previously criticized for its handling of Covid quarantine hotels. However, the company has been awarded a total of 143 contracts worth £3.1 billion since 2015, according to research company Tussell.
The new contract has raised concerns about the lack of scrutiny and accountability in awarding government contracts to large corporations. Critics argue that these companies are receiving vast sums of taxpayers' money without sufficient oversight.
CTM has defended its record, claiming to be a "global provider of innovative and cost-effective travel solutions." However, the troubled history of the Bibby Stockholm raises questions about the company's ability to deliver on its promises.
The Bibby Stockholm was originally intended to house up to 1,000 migrants. However, it was plagued by problems from the start. An outbreak of legionnaires' disease forced the temporary evacuation of residents, and an asylum seeker tragically took his own life on board.
Migrants on the barge reported feeling like prisoners, subjected to constant searches and unable to see their friends due to the detention-like conditions. One asylum seeker described feeling so stressed and depressed that he stayed in his room for two weeks, avoiding all contact with the staff.
The Bibby Stockholm was finally shut down in December 2023, with all asylum seekers moved off the barge. However, the controversy surrounding the vessel continues, with concerns about the lack of accountability and the impact on the asylum seekers who were housed there.
6 Comments
Raphael
do we really want companies that mishandle crises to be in charge of billions of pounds of taxpayer funds?”
Michelangelo
“This article is exaggerating every mistake. CTM has delivered on contracts before, and one mishap shouldn’t erase their overall reputation.”
Donatello
“The piece rightly criticizes awarding huge sums to a firm with a questionable record. Reform is urgently needed in these government contracts.”
Leonardo
“I’m skeptical of articles that focus on a few negatives without factoring in the overall performance of the firm.”
Michelangelo
“The coverage here is brave – it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about how government contracts are awarded despite past failures.”
Leonardo
“I’m tired of narratives that focus solely on the negatives. The problems with the barge were unfortunate, but they aren’t representative of CTM’s entire track record.”